Method and device for transporting and turning objects

ABSTRACT

On a processing apparatus with step-by-step conveying of the articles to be processed and a turning module for the articles, turning is performed transversely with respect to the conveying direction. This allows much space to be saved in the turning arrangement.

[0001] The invention relates to a method for step-by-step conveyingaccording to the introductory part of Claim 1, an apparatus forstep-by-step conveying according to the introductory part of Claim 8,and a turning module according to the introductory part of Claim 11.

[0002] An apparatus for step-by-step conveying of containers is knownfrom WO99/39849. It has bars arranged alongside the containers andprovided with pushers which, by a converging movement of the bars, takehold of the containers (which are standing in line, spaced apart, on aconveyor plate), advance the containers one step in the conveyingdirection by a forwards movement of the bars, let go of the containersby a diverging movement of the bars, and then by a one step backwardsmovement of the bars revert to the pick-up position, where the processrepeats itself. As the container bodies in this example are beingconveyed in a machine line of modular construction to processing moduleswhich intervene in the bodies from above, the bodies, after beingconveyed a certain distance, are turned over so that their other end(which is the bottom end, if the containers have been fed into thesequence of processing stations top end up first) can be processed inprocessing modules downstream of the turning module. The turning modulehas a beam pivotable about an axis transverse with respect to theconveying direction, on which beam the container is held magnetically.The beam turns the container over in the conveying direction and placesthe overturned container on a conveyor plate, where it is seized by thebars of the next step-by-step conveyor. This conventional way of turningthe container bodies takes up a lot of room in the conveying direction,particularly for tall containers.

[0003] Therefore the basic problem which the invention seeks to solve isto provide a method and an apparatus, and also a turning module, whichdo not have these disadvantages.

[0004] In the case of the method stated at the outset this problem issolved by the characterizing features of Claim 1, and in the case of theapparatus of the kind stated at the outset, by the characterizingfeatures of Claim 8. In the case of a turning module of the kind statedat the outset the problem is solved by the characterizing features ofClaim 11.

[0005] Rotating transversely across the conveyor path, and especiallyrotating “on the spot” without displacement in the conveying direction,means that the length needed in the conveying direction for the turningoperation becomes independent of the height of the article.

[0006] It is especially preferred that conveying should cease to be inspaced-apart mode in the turning zone, and give way to a conveying modein which the article entering the turning zone pushes the overturnedarticle out of the turning zone. The article can then be picked up againby a step-by-step conveyor and conveyed to the subsequent processingstations. Through this preferred transition from spaced-apart conveyingto direct-contact conveying in the turning zone, much space can be savedin the design of the turning zone.

[0007] This and further preferred examples of ways of carrying out theinvention will now be described in detail with reference to thedrawings, in which:

[0008]FIG. 1 shows a view of a processing installation with turningmodules according to the state of the art;

[0009]FIG. 2 shows schematically three step-by-step conveyors with aturning zone according to the invention in between them, viewed fromabove;

[0010]FIG. 3 is a highly schematic front view of a turning unit;

[0011]FIG. 4 shows a turning module with a turning unit according toFIG. 2; and

[0012]FIG. 5 shows the turning module of FIG. 3 viewed from above.

[0013]FIG. 1 shows the processing installation known from WO99/39849,with a plurality of processing modules 2, 3, 4 and 6 and with turningmodules 5 and 7, intended for the processing of containers. For example,the processing module 2 may be a tapering module, the processing module3, a module for edging and crimping, and the module 4, a processingmodule for forming an outwards-projecting flange and a rim bead. Theturning module 5 turns the part-processed article or container over,i.e. places it upside down. In the processing module 6 the overturnedcontainer is provided with a flange and prepared rim and is fitted witha bottom. The container can be placed top end up again in a furtherturning module. State of the art turning modules have a turning beam 10pivotable in the conveying direction A about an axis 9 transversethereto, on which beam one container at a time is held magnetically andthen tipped over in the conveying direction so that its top end goesdown on to the conveyor plate 11 and its bottom end is turned upwards.It is obvious that if the containers are tall, a large amount of room isneeded for this overturning to take place. For spaced-apart conveying ofthe individual containers to the processing stations, use is made ofstep-by-step conveyors with bars 8 which, in each case, take hold of thecontainers and advance them one step at a time in the conveyingdirection. FIG. 2 shows schematically a top view of such bars and threecontainers where the containers are turned over in the transversedirection in accordance with the invention. In FIG. 2 the turning unitis merely schematically indicated at 12 and will be described in detaillater. The bars 8 and 8′ of one step-by-step conveyor and the bars 18and 18′ of the further step-by-step conveyor and 28 and 28′ of thestep-by-step conveyor located after the turning unit in each caseexecute a movement cycle known in itself, which will be explained withreference to the arrows in FIG. 2. In each case the bars execute aconverging movement in the arrow-direction C, thus taking hold of thearticles. The articles are spaced apart from each other by a distance dimposed by the design of the pushers on the bars. FIG. 2 shows how thecontainers 14 and 16 have been taken hold of in this way by the bars18/18′ and 28/28′, respectively. Containers are of course also presentin the other holder positions of the bars, but are not shown here. Afterthis converging and seizing step, the bars execute a movement in thedirection of the arrow B, which shifts the container concerned one stepforwards in the conveying direction A. The bars then move in thedirection of the arrows E, releasing the containers, which are leftstanding in position on the respective holding plates 11. The bars thenmove one step back again in the direction of the arrows D, and, bymoving in the direction of the arrows C, seize another container in eachpair of jaws, which is then again advanced in the direction of thearrows B. This movement cycle is repeated after processing of thecontainers in each station has been completed.

[0014] In accordance with the invention, the containers are thenindividually turned through 180° transversely across the conveyingdirection A in the turning unit 12, so that a container initiallyentering the turning unit top end up, for example, stands bottom up inthe turning unit 12 after the turning operation has taken place. FIG. 3shows schematically a view of such a turning unit according to theinvention, viewed for example in the opposite direction to the conveyingdirection A, i.e. viewed from container 16 of FIG. 2. The container 15is standing in the turning unit. The turning unit has a gear ring 30(whose teeth are not shown in FIG. 3) which has a slot 31 for thecontainer. The container stands in this slot on a holding plate 32, anda plate 33 is preferably arranged above the container. The container maybe held on the holding plate 32 e.g. by weak magnetic attraction. Thegear ring 30 is held by guide means 34 which are only schematicallyindicated in FIG. 3, so as to be rotatable about its centre and it ismoreover held in a frame (not shown) so that the holding plate 32 is inflush alignment with the holding plates 11 of the step-by-step conveyorsso that the container can be conveyed from the step-by-step conveyorsinto the slot 31 in the gear ring 30. The gear ring 30 can be turned inthe direction of the arrow F by means of a motor 37 via a pinion 35 anda toothed belt 36, to turn the container 15. Either the container 15then stands on the holding plate 33, which is now located underneath,and which, following the rotation, is likewise flush with the holdingplates 11; or the container is suspended from the holding plate 32, onwhich it is still held magnetically. In either case, the container isthen pushed or pulled clear of the slot in the gear ring, as describedbelow, and the next container (container 14 in the example) enters theturning unit 12. Thus, the article has been turned on the spot,transversely with respect to the conveying direction, and withoutdisplacement in the conveying direction, by the turning unit 12.

[0015] If the slot 31 in the gear ring is made sufficiently large ateither side, the step-by-step conveyor located in front of the gear ring30 in the conveying direction can convey the container into the slot 31,leave the container standing there, and withdraw, before turning takesplace. The downstream step-by-step conveyor 28, 28′ can then remove thecontainer concerned from the turning unit by reaching into the turningunit as it performs its backwards movement. However, a preferred mode ofoperation, which can best be explained by reference to FIG. 2, is one inwhich the step-by-step conveyor consists only of short bars 18 and 18′and as it performs its step in the direction B, pushes the container 14placed in front of the turning unit 12 into the slot 31, causing thecontainer 14 to make contact with the container 15 and bump the latterout of the turning unit 12 so that it then occupies the position of thecontainer 16 shown in FIG. 2, where it is clear of the turning unit 12and is held by the step-by-step conveyor 28, 28′. Hence in performingits step in the direction B, the step-by-step conveyor 18, 18′ conveysboth the container 14 and—indirectly by means of the container 14—thecontainer 15 in the turning unit 12. The distance d between containerstherefore disappears in the turning unit 12, which also helps to reducethe amount of space needed for the turning operation. In this case, theslot 31 can be made narrower, as the bars of the step-by-step conveyors18/18′ and 28/28′ do not need to fit into the slot at all; in the caseof the bars 18 and 18′, this is as a consequence of their beingshortened. FIG. 4 shows a more accurate view of the turning unitconstructed as a turning module with a frame 40 on which the gear ring30, located behind a casing, is arranged on columns 41 with provisionfor vertical adjustment which may for example be made by a drive 46 toadjust the height of the holding plates 32 and (after turning) 33 to theheight of the holding plates 11 of the step-by-step conveyors. Theholding plates 32 and 33 are also made adjustable in relation to oneanother for adaptation to different container heights, e.g. by mountingthem on perforated plates 42, or by other arrangements. The guiderollers 34 for the gear ring and the drive motor 37 can also be seen inthe figure. A control unit 45, merely shown schematically, controls themotor upon each turn of the slot 31 through 180°. The control unit 45may be given the instruction to perform each turn by a higher-rankingmachine control via a signal line 47. The control unit 45 can of coursebe omitted if the turning instruction is given directly to the turningunit 12 by the higher-ranking control.

[0016]FIG. 5 shows the turning unit 12 constructed as a module as seenfrom above, with three containers shown in outline. Reference numbersdenote the same elements as before.

1. Method for step-by-step conveying of articles (14, 15, 16) spacedapart from one another along a series of stations (2, 3, 4, 6) includingturning of the articles between stations, characterized in that turningtakes place transversely with respect to the conveying direction. 2.Method according to claim 1, characterized in that container bodies (14,15, 16) are conveyed to processing stations (2, 3, 4, 6).
 3. Methodaccording to claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that conveying iseffected by a step-by-step conveyor means (8, 8′; 18, 18′; 28, 28′)which executes a forwards movement and a backwards movement, the turnedarticle (15) being bumped out of the turning zone (12) by the nextarticle (14) pushed into the turning zone (12) upon the forwardsmovement of the step-by-step conveyor means (18, 18′).
 4. Methodaccording to claim 3, characterized in that the article bumped out ofthe turning zone (12) is seized by an ensuing step-by-step conveyormeans (28, 28′).
 5. Method according to claim 1 or claim 2,characterized in that conveying is effected by step-by-step conveyormeans which execute a forwards movement and a backwards movement, afirst step-by-step conveyor means placing the article on a holding plate(32) in the turning zone (12) and then executing its backwards movement,turning thereupon being performed transversely with respect to theconveying direction, and a second step-by-step conveyor means thenseizing the turned article within the turning zone.
 6. Method accordingto any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the article to beturned in the turning zone is pushed into a slot (31) with upper andlower holders (33, 32) which have provision for adjusting the clearancebetween them and also have provision for adjusting the position of bothholders together in relation to the step-by-step conveyor means. 7.Method according to claim 6, characterized in that the slot (31) isarranged in a gear ring (30) which is rotatably arranged in a guide andis rotatable by a drive means engaging with the gear ring.
 8. Apparatusfor step-by-step conveying of articles (14, 15, 16) spaced apart fromone another, with step-by-step conveyor means (8, 8′; 18, 18′; 28, 28′),at least one processing module (2, 3, 4, 6) and at least one turningunit (12) for articles and also a control for the conveyor means and theturning module, characterized in that the turning station for turningthe articles over is arranged transversely with respect to the conveyingdirection.
 9. Apparatus according to claim 8, characterized in that ithas a slot (31) for the articles with two holding plates (32, 33) withprovision for adjustment of the clearance between them and an adjustingmeans (41, 46) for adjusting the position of the slot in relation to thestep-by-step conveyor means.
 10. Apparatus according to claim 8 or claim9, characterized in that the turning unit (12) has a gear ring (30) thatis configured to receive the articles, is rotatably arranged in a guide,and is rotatable by drive means (25, 36, 37).
 11. Turning module for anapparatus according to any one of claims 8 to 10, characterized by amachine frame (40) and, arranged thereon, a gear ring, rotatable in aguide, with a slot which has holding plates with provision foradjustment of the clearance between them, the gear ring having provisionfor vertical adjustment on the machine frame; and by a controllabledrive for turning the gear ring.